If the team of Jericho and Owens -- creatively dubbed as Jeri-KO -- proves to merely be a temporary one, they showed tremendous chemistry in defeating Enzo and Cass to open the pay-per-view portion of the card.

Ratings summary (3.00)

The match was filled with charismatic antics. It was the perfect choice to open the show as the ring work was solid -- as you'd expect from these four -- and the energy level was high.

Storytelling: 0.75

In-ring execution: 0.50

Match psychology: 0.75

Timing: 0.50

Innovation: 0.50

After Enzo, dressed in pinstriped overalls, got over with the New York crowd before the match by quoting song lyrics by Frank Sinatra and Brooklyn native Notorious B.I.G., he was quickly transitioned into full-time selling. Outside of an early high spot that was nearly blown when Cass threw Enzo over the ropes onto Jeri-KO after initially appearing he might come up short, it was all Jericho and Owens as they kept Enzo cornered.

The eventual hot tag to Big Cass came -- and he cleaned house as expected -- but Owens deftly broke up the Rocket Launcher finisher attempt from behind by tripping Enzo. This finish would come shortly after as Owens popped up Enzo before stepping out of the way as Jericho hit him with a particulary stiff Codebreaker to the face for the pin.

It was hard to imagine how Sasha and Charlotte might top their spectacular July 25 bout on Raw, where Banks captured the title cleanly by submission. But top it they did -- in spectacular fashion.

Ratings summary (3.25)

After overcoming some early hiccups, these two really began putting it together. The intensity picked up and they did some pretty incredible things.

Storytelling: 0.75

In-ring execution: 0.50

Match psychology: 0.50

Timing: 0.50

Innovation: 1.00

You simply couldn't turn your head as the match featured one dangerous high spot after another -- including a few that were outright botched, with Banks appearing legitimately hurt on more than one occasion.

Charlotte attempted to suplex Banks off the top rope early on but appeared to drop her accidentally, with Banks hitting the ropes on the way down before landing on her head. Later, in the biggest spot of the match, Sasha worked out of what appeared to be a Razor's Edge attempt by Charlotte off the top rope by landing a spectacular hurricanrana onto the canvas. Replays showed that Banks landed on her head on the way down.

The bout produced unending chants from the elated crowd and both performers sold out physically, including Banks landing a double flying knee from the top rope onto Charlotte, who was standing outside the ring and took a hard bump on the floor.

The finish was strong as Charlotte began her second reign as WWE champion by flipping Sasha backward during a Banks Statement attempt and pinning her shoulders down.

Very little effort or time had been given to The Miz's feud with Crews during the first month of SmackDown Live following the brand extension. That continued with their brief come-down match Sunday, which followed the theatrics of the women's title match.

Ratings summary (2.50)

The in-ring work was great in this short match. Crews looked especially good. However, there just wasn't much of a story. Nice execution, poor story.

Storytelling: 0.25

In-ring execution: 0.75

Match psychology: 0.50

Timing: 0.50

Innovation: 0.50

The most memorable part of the match might have been The Miz's entrance, with both he and Maryse wearing outfits with matching sparkle. The finish came just minutes later as Crews was sent hard into the ring post before stumbling backward into the Skull-Crushing Finale as The Miz's self-proclaimed "Never Ending Intercontinental Title World Tour" extended to a 139th day.

A.J. Styles def. John Cena by pinfall (23:10)

Considering the relative lack of buzz surrounding their feud entering Sunday's card, you had the feeling Styles and Cena might look to steal the show by putting forth the match of the night. We didn't know they would go as far as entering discussion for match of the year.

Ratings summary (5.00)

Wow. We just witnessed a classic. From beginning to end, and everything in between, that was fantastic. That, ladies and gentlemen, is a perfect 5.

Storytelling: 1.00

In-ring execution: 1.00

Match psychology: 1.00

Timing: 1.00

Innovation: 1.00

Styles brought a likely end to their entertaining three-month feud following Cena's return from shoulder surgery by recording his second victory by pinfall in three fights. And this one had the feel of an instant classic right from the start with an incredible level of attention to detail.

The match escalated quickly into an exchange of finishing moves as both Cena (following a Styles Clash) and Styles (after receiving an Attitude Adjustment) kicked out at the count of two. From there it spiraled into a steady tradeoff of innovative suplexes and near falls, each time building the crowd to a higher level.

The intensity not only kept building, there was never a letdown. Styles went on to kick out of a trio of impressive moves from Cena, including an Attitude Adjustment and tornado DDT, both from the top rope.

Late in the match, Cena leaned against the corner and stared across the ring as a weary Styles struggled to his feet. As Cena went to attempt yet another AA, Styles slipped out. He followed with a Styles Clash, before landing an emphatic Phenomenal Forearm for the three count.

It's hard to tell what is next for Cena considering his increasing opportunities in entertainment outside of the ring. But it's worth noting he received an extended standing ovation from the crowd as he slowly walked up the ramp after the match.

WWE tag team championship: The Club def. The New Day (c) by disqualification (9:10)

How do you make a match stand out when it's forced to follow Styles-Cena? Add a little comedy and a splash of ridiculousness.

Ratings summary (2.75)

This was a good tag match while it lasted, but it never quite reached the next level. We did get some comedy out of it, though.

Storytelling: 0.50

In-ring execution: 0.50

Match psychology: 0.75

Timing: 0.50

Innovation: 0.50

With Big E expected to be sidelined and absent from ringside after suffering an injury to his pelvic region at the hands of The Club, comedian Jon Stewart took his pace as the mouthpiece for The New Day. From there the match was a relative basic one as each team traded moves evenly.

Late in the match, Karl Anderson landed a running kick to the head of Xavier Woods. He then teamed with Luke Gallows to land their finishing move, the Magic Killer. But Stewart ran into the ring to interrupt the pin, comedically attempting to give The Club a "Too Sweet" hand signal before cowering against the ropes in fear.

Just as The Club grabbed Stewart and appeared ready to injure him against the ring post in the same manner they did to Big E, it was a running save from Big E himself, who cleaned house after sprinting toward the ring, that brought an end to the bout by disqualification.

The New Day retained the WWE titles despite the loss, which ended with Big E took a disgusting drink from the mason jar filled with eggs and discolored water that The Club brought to the ring.

So much for the reinvention of Ziggler as a main event-level talent, as his WWE world championship opportunity against Ambrose will be a forgotten one.

Ratings summary (2.50)

The match was a bit underwhelming considering its potential. Both Ambrose and Ziggler hit their spots, but it just never took off the way it could have.

Storytelling: 0.50

In-ring execution: 0.75

Match psychology: 0.50

Timing: 0.50

Innovation: 0.25

The match might not have been as bad as the pockets of "This is boring!" chants that broke out at times from the Brooklyn faithful, but there was certainly nothing memorable about it. The match's placement on the card ahead of even the United States title bout, only lent to the theory that the WWE's Universal championship has become the company's new premier title.

Ambrose dominated early before the match split into an even -- and often sloppy -- tradeoff of moves. Ziggler countered an Ambrose slam attempt and executed a partial Zig Zag finisher but could get only two. Another sloppy sequence followed, before Ambrose ended matters with the Dirty Deeds for the pin.

Nikki Bella made a surprise return following neck surgery in this six-person tag team match as a late-replacement for Eva Marie, who was suspended on Thursday for a wellness policy violation. It was Bella's first match in 10 months since losing her then-WWE Divas title in a feud with Charlotte.

Ratings summary (1.50)

This match didn't offer much outside of Nikki Bella's return. There were some decent spots, but it felt drawn out.

Storytelling: 0.25

In-ring execution: 0.50

Match psychology: 0.25

Timing: 0.25

Innovation: 0.25

Bella appeared fully recovered while taking bumps during a pair of appearances in the bout, which had popcorn match written all over it. She also factored into the finish, landing her new finishing move on Carmella to record the pin, which preceded a big pop from the crowd.

WWE United States championship: Rusev (c) and Roman Reigns fought to a no contest

This one was over not much longer after it started.

In a match that was already curiously placed on the card -- right before the main event and after the more prestigious title bouts before it -- the booking was just as confusing. Rusev and Reigns brawled to a no contest after it was announced that WWE medical staff deemed Rusev could not continue.

It was difficult to tell whether the injury was real or part of the storyline after Rusev, who appeared to be selling a rib injury by holding his side, was hit with a massive spear from Reigns outside the ring.